Summary

Lead from the Outside begins with a quotation by Audre Lorde, an African American writer and activist, on daring to be powerful.

In the Preface, Abrams reflects on her experience running as the Democratic candidate in the Georgia gubernatorial elections, as well as her decision not to concede the election. She originally published the book during her campaign. It was the first time a woman or a person of color had ever made the general election ballot as a candidate for governor of Georgia. Abrams explains the significance of the governor’s office in Georgia in relation to its role in Southern politics and in the influence it has in drawing voting maps that accurately reflect an increasingly diverse population.

Throughout the campaign Abrams is forced to grapple with the question of what it would mean for her to win and become...